Zesty Life Xmas Energy Balls

Hittin’ the backcountry takes balls

If you’re planning a long day in the elements, it’s critical to properly fuel your body. While carbohydrates are your body’s preferred source of quick fuel, protein is equally important for energy and muscle conservation and repair.

From carbohydrate-rich dates to nut and seed plant-based proteins, these Zesty Energy Balls are packed with whole food goodness to keep you on the uptrack. They’re extremely easy to prepare and don’t have the added junk that’s in most store-bought bars. These balls are raw, vegan, gluten-free AND Tasty!

Protein intake for endurance athletes

How much protein and when depends on the duration of your activity – protein isn’t going to make you perform better instantly, but if you went for a six-hour ski and didn’t have any protein during that time, you’d likely start breaking down muscle tissue because when carbohydrate stores are used up, fat stores cannot be utilized quickly enough to supply energy and muscle proteins are used instead. Thus, you need to ingest protein every three hours.

Taking your date into the backcountry

If you need stamina that’ll last all the way to the overnight hut 😉 dates are where it’s at! Dates are almost completely made of glucose, a simple carbohydrate that is easily burned by the muscles as fuel. In fact, dates have the highest glucose-to-volume ratio of any fruit, and so they make the perfect carbohydrate base for these Zesty Protein Balls!

Cinnamon – Cinnamon is known to promote heart health and eyesight through beneficial antioxidants, it’s been found to kill E. coli and many other bacteria, and its anti-inflammatory compounds help relieve pain and stiffness of muscles and joints due to arthritis —or a day of killer skiing!

Cardamom – As a member of the ginger family, cardamom is one of the richest sources of cineole, a potent antiseptic for sore throats and respiratory conditions. Cardamom has high levels of skin-improving vitamins A, B, and C and free-radical fighting antioxidants.

Cloves – Full of free-radical fighting antioxidants, tissue-forming manganese and inflammation-reducing Omega-3. And umm… a great aphrodisiac too!

Ginger – Ginger is among the healthiest and zestiest spices on the planet. A natural anti-inflammatory, it may reduce nausea, help with digestion, fight cancer and boost the immune system. For athletes, ginger can open up your airways, assist in weight-loss, improve circulation and strengthen your immune system.